After hours key drop off/collection emerges as need at repair workshops

Many UK motorists would drop-off or collect their car keys outside a dealer’s normal opening hours, according to a new nationwide survey from digital aftersales solutions expert Tjekvik,

Tjekvik looked at aftersales department opening and closing times for the 100 largest dealer groups across the UK and found that just over half (52%) closed at 6 pm during the working week, while 28% shut up shop at 5:30pm.

While most aftersales departments were open on a Saturday, 29% closed at 1.00pm, and 22% closed at 12:30pm. Just 5% stayed open until 5pm on a Saturday. Only two dealer groups were found to operate Sunday aftersales opening hours.

Just over a quarter (26%) of motorists in the Tjekvik survey wanted to complete more elements of the aftersales handover process online, at a time more convenient for them rather than visiting the dealership. The biggest advocates for this digital-first approach were those in London (37%).

Tjekvik’s survey highlighted some regional differences in those wanting out-of-hours drop-off and collection. For example, 47% of respondents in Yorkshire and the Humber wanted dealers in their region to offer out-of-hours solutions, compared to 25% in Northern Ireland.

Christian Mark, CEO and co-founder at Tjekvik, said: “It’s clear that the lack of flexible options remains a sticking point for many aftersales customers, and it has the potential to impact satisfaction and retention rates. Providing the flexibility of self-service means dealers can better accommodate the growing number who wish to drop off or collect their vehicles early or late, or at weekends.”

To complement their indoor self-service technology, Tjekvik recently launched its new outdoor kiosk, designed to deliver a seamless check-in and check-out solution 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With a secure design and all-weather durability.

The operational flexibility of Tjekvik’s new outdoor kiosk also means dealers can support customers with drop-offs and collections at locations away from the service reception, such as airports, railway stations and shopping centres.